Simply outclassed!

IT was Tenerife’s longest journey of the season, to Spain’s northern coast, just outside Gijon, as they went head-to-head with buoyant Oviedo.

Both teams were coming off good wins in their last matches, and each wanted to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season.

But the boot of striker Yoel Bárcenas was enough for the home side to defeat Tenerife and secure those two victories, giving them the perfect start to 2019, and leaving them chasing the play-off places with a valuable six points in the bag.

Oviedo coach Juan Antonio Anquela, had planned just one change to the team who beat Numancia. But Viti Rozada was injured in the warm-up and had to concede his place to Omar Ramos, who was one of the most outstanding players at the start of the match.

And even his muscle injury, after 28 minutes, didn’t stop him crashing a ball on to the crossbar with a good shot from the edge of the area.

Tenerife weren’t able to stop the home team’s high pressure, and they barely managed to link a few consecutive passes together.

They were stifled by Oviedo’s attacks, which, fortunately for the visitors, lacked the precision to become goal opportunities.

But everything changed when Bárcenas chased a long ball near Tenerife’s goal area, and fired in a perfect shot to beat keeper Dani Hernández and put his side ahead.

Everything seemed easy for Oviedo, but they took a step back, allowing Tenerife to get into the game.

Malbasic crossed into the area and Naranjo sent the ball just over the crossbar, wasting the clearest chance for his team in the first half.

Not too much changed when the second half began. Oviedo were eager to press forward and secure the win, and Carlos Hernandez must have envisaged a 2-0 score, only for his header to brush the top of the crossbar.

Tenerife kept foraging in their search for an equaliser to steal a point, but coach Oltra’s men just couldn’t open any cracks in their defence.

In the final stretch, on the counter-attack, the home team had the perfect chance to increase their advantage, but they lacked precision. However, at the full-time whistle, Oviedo had moved up the table.

Poor Tenerife, on the other hand, are still languishing in 17th place, with eight teams having just three points between them.

Tenerife’s next two games could shape their season. They have a home game against bottom team Gimnàstic on Sunday, then a tricky away clash with third-placed Málaga the following week.

But if they are to rescue this season and at least stay up, they really do need to start now!

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Posted by admin
on Jan 18 2019. Filed under Sport.
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